Whether you’re a new or experienced franchise professional, there are always aspects of running a business that feel like a learning curve. You could feel like you’re not able to keep up with the latest trends, you’re falling behind on reviewing all the new legislative changes to franchising, or you’re just looking for advice on how to get your start in the franchising world!
In any case, you’ll find that the right educational resources are integral to the success of your business. Thankfully, the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) provides a variety of supports, programs, and events in place to help you stay on top of your game and learn new ways to innovate for the evolving market. Here are the five key educational resources the CFA offers its franchisees.
Through the International Franchise Association (IFA), the Canadian Franchise Association is exclusively licensing their Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) certification program, focused on providing all franchise professionals with the highest standard of franchising training in Canada. Participants in the CFE program come from a variety of backgrounds; franchisees of all levels of experience, franchisors, lawyers, suppliers, and consultants are taking advantage of the wide offering of courses accessible to them.
The flexibility and curated course selection within the CFE program allows you to create your own pathway based on your interests and what you are hoping to get out of the certification. Whether it’s honing your marketing skills, receiving training in business development, mastering your legislative literacy, or for looking for ways to improve your franchise management system, there is something for everyone entering the program.
Throughout the CFE program, candidates will take live and online education seminars, complete online courses, attend and participate in live events, and receive credit through work experience in order to obtain their certification. Upon graduation, individuals will come out of the program with franchising credibility, expertise, and a reservoir of knowledge in franchise management, leadership, and strategy.
The CFA offers in-person and virtual events focussed on educating and providing insight in all areas franchising. For emerging franchisors, the Franchise Your Business webinar is the perfect place to learn more about how to franchise, market to franchisees, financing your business, and more!
The CFA is also holding several upcoming educational events aimed at all franchising professionals, including Franchise Law Day and Learn & Grow. Franchise Law Day is an in-person, annual event hosted by franchise lawyers, who lead plenaries, workshops, and sessions dedicated to educating franchisors on protecting their business and minimalize legal risk. Learn & Grow is another fantastic, free virtual event for all franchise professionals. Occurring every Wednesday, the Learn & Grow is a webinar hosted by franchise experts on a variety of topics and it’s a great way to grow your skills and stay updated on what’s happening in the industry.
The Franchise Legislation bank is a compilation of all provincial legislation, regulations, and consultation papers pertaining to franchising laws in Canada. The webpage portal is a one-stop resource for franchisors and franchisees operating in Canada to gain all the franchise-related legal information they require to protect their business.
The CFA’s free mentorship program, Zor-2-Zor: Franchise Coach in your Corner, is a top program designed to match new CFA members with established and experienced franchisors and consultants. By joining the Zor-2-Zor mentorship program, members can receive up to 15 hours of sessions with their mentor and gain the invaluable insight into the industry and expand your network.
The CFA offers several publications that provide members with reports, articles, and tools to help franchisors and franchisees navigate the latest trends in business. The CFA annually publishes the Canadian Franchising Industry Economic Outlook in partnership with the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis (CANCEA) to provide franchisors with the most recent data on franchise-related growth and development. The CFA is also publishing an upcoming Regional Supplements special feature, which will focus on lucrative potential each province has for franchising with attention to growing industries, franchise-related GDP growth, projected job creation, and new investment opportunities.
The Franchise Voice is the CFA’s official member magazine, dedicated to providing franchise professionals with articles on the best practices in franchising, the latest industry news, and pieces written by franchise professionals, for franchise professionals. The Franchise Voice is published four times a year as a flipbook within the Member’s Only Area of CFA.ca and via email distribution, allowing for easy, digital accessibility to advice in franchising you’ll want to save for later!
The Member’s Only portal on the CFA website is a multi-channel blog featuring Franchise Voice articles, a Member Bulletin, and industry news updates related to advocacy, legislation, operations, franchise growth, and management. Franchise professionals also gain access to the and News by Region, which features a curated franchise-related news selection in Atlantic Canada, Pacific Canada, the Prairies, Ontario, and Quebec.
The CFA Community App
Available for both iOS and Android, the new CFA Community App is the latest extension of the Member’s Only Area, providing CFA members with the opportunity to network and engage with their fellow franchise professionals in the easiest, most accessible way possible. Through the app, users are also able to access Franchise Voice articles, the Members Saving Program, and a contact directory with all CFA members, searchable by name, company, and industry!